INDIANAPOLIS – Jillian Martin of Stow, Ohio, climbed the ladder to win her second career major title at the 2026 Go Bowling U.S. Women’s Open at Royal Pin Woodland in Indianapolis, defeating Malaysia’s Sin Li Jane in a roll-off that lasted four additional shots after a 212-212 tie Tuesday night. The stepladder finals were broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.
"It just means the world to be able to be here," Martin said. "All the hard work paying off is just crazy. It means so much. I'm still in a whirlwind of emotions because that was a wild match, but probably one of the most fun I've ever been a part of."
The title match between Martin and Sin featured multiple clutch shots by both competitors, with Martin converting a washout in the second frame before picking up the 3-6-7-10 split two frames later to keep herself in the match as Sin struck three times in the first four frames.
"My dad actually pointed out, 'Your split percentage is really bad, and your washout percentage is bad,' so I've been working on making better shots at them," Martin said with a laugh. "I can only control the shot that I make on the lane. I can't control anything else happening around me, so just sticking to that and staying patient and grounded."
Sin later opened in the sixth frame but fired back with three straight strikes heading into the final frame. Martin struck in the third frame and didn’t strike again until the ninth and 10th frames with three strikes of her own, but it was enough for 212. At that point, Sin needed eight, spare, strike to win by one pin.
Sin’s ball never made the turn on the right lane, leaving the 2-4-5 combination that she converted before striking in the fill for 212, triggering a one-ball roll-off to determine the winner. The first ball of the roll-off resulted in strikes by both competitors, but on the next shot on the right lane, Martin and Sin each left three pins standing, forcing a third shot.
Both struck again as the match stretched to a fourth ball back on the right lane, and it finally ended when Martin struck while Sin went high for nine.
"It was fun," Martin said of the roll-off. "Win or lose, I love being in those positions because I think it's great for bowling. I want to show people how fun bowling can be. I definitely thought I was out of it after the seven count, but once she missed, it was like, 'All right, we're right back up there. We're doing this again.'"
Martin earned her fourth career Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour title and second major, adding to her 2024 United States Bowling Congress Queens title. The victory also earned her the $60,000 top prize, green jacket and eagle trophy.
The victory completed Martin's return to Royal Pin Woodland. After withdrawing from the tournament at the same venue because of injury two years ago, she returned Tuesday to win the green jacket, eagle trophy and the second major title of her career.
"It's crazy to think I have two majors and four titles overall at the age of 21, almost 22," Martin said. "I just try to stay grounded in the moment. I'm just going out here and bowling, and ultimately, I'm trying to have fun.
"I really just had to take it back to the mental work that I've put in off the lanes," Martin said. "I can't control what anybody else does. I really just credit it to my mentality today, staying in the moment, staying calm and not getting ahead of myself."
For the second straight week, Sin found herself as the runner-up, losing the PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm to Jordan Snodgrass of Adrian, Michigan, last week and will have to wait for her third major title. Sin earned $30,000 for second place.
Martin began as the No. 4 seed and bowled against No. 5 Jordan Snodgrass of Adrian, Michigan, to open the stepladder. Snodgrass kept pace with Martin halfway through the match, but an open in the sixth allowed Martin to begin pulling away and an open in the ninth for Snodgrass sealed the win for Martin. Snodgrass earned $13,000 for her fifth-place finish.
Next for Martin was No. 3 Diana Zavjalova of Latvia in her fourth U.S. Women’s Open stepladder appearance since 2021. Martin opened twice while Zavjalova opened three times in the match, leading to a low-scoring affair that Martin won 172 to Zavjalova’s 166. Zavjalova earned $17,000 for her fourth-place finish.
In the semifinal match, Martin went up against No. 2 Dasha Kovalova of Ukraine, seeking a second major of her own after winning the 2019 USBC Queens. It was another close match as both competitors put together strings of strikes at one point in the match, but an open in the third frame for Kovalova was the difference as Martin advanced to the title match with 230 while Kovalova ended with 223. Kovalova earned $22,000 for her third-place finish.
All rounds leading up to the stepladder finals were streamed live on BowlTV.
The PWBA Tour takes a scheduled break, with the next event being the Professional Bowlers Association/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles event in Houston beginning July 30.
For more information on the U.S. Women’s Open, visit click HERE.
